Group work is a big part of university life. It helps students learn from each other, build teamwork skills, and tackle complex problems together. But sometimes, it’s hard to know where the line is between working together and crossing into academic misconduct.
As the Ombudsperson, I often hear from students who are unsure whether their group work is okay - especially when instructions aren’t clear. This post breaks down the difference between collaboration and collusion and offers tips to help you stay on the right side of university policy.
Collaboration: Encouraged and Expected
Collaboration means working together in ways that are allowed. It includes:
- Talking through ideas with classmates
- Sharing your own notes
- Dividing tasks in a group project
- Giving feedback on each other’s work
When it’s done openly and within the rules of the course, collaboration supports fairness which helps everyone learn and contribute.
Collusion: A Breach of Academic Integrity
Collusion happens when students work together in ways that misrepresent individual effort. Examples include:
- Submitting identical answers on an assignment meant to be done alone
- Sharing solutions when it’s not allowed
- Copying someone else’s work from a shared document
At Waterloo, Policy 71 - Student Discipline treats collusion as academic misconduct. It’s unfair to others and can lead to serious consequences.
Why it’s confusing
You’re not alone if you’ve found this confusing. Research shows that many students, and even instructors, aren’t always sure where collaboration ends and collusion begins.
Sutherland-Smith (2010) found that students often feel caught in a “grey zone,” where the rules aren’t clear. Donelan and Kear (2024) looked at group work in online courses and found that unclear instructions and uneven participation are common problems. They recommend better course design and more support to help students succeed fairly.
International students may face even more uncertainty. Velliaris (2025) points out that students from different academic backgrounds may have different ideas about what’s allowed. She suggests that universities need to work together, across departments and services, to make expectations clear for everyone.
How to Stay Within Policy
The Office of Academic Integrity has helpful resources to guide you. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Check the instructions: If it doesn’t say you can work with others, assume it’s individual.
- Ask your instructor: If you’re not sure, ask. It’s better to clarify than guess.
- Use shared tools carefully: Don’t copy or edit someone else’s work unless that’s part of the assignment.
- Write your own notes: Even in study groups, make sure your work is your own.
- Be honest: If you worked with someone, say so — especially in reflections or cover pages.
Fairness in Practice
Fairness isn’t just about following rules, it’s about understanding them. You’re responsible for knowing what’s expected, but instructors and the university also have a role in making those expectations clear.
If you’re unsure whether your actions follow Policy 71, or if you feel a decision about your group work was unfair, the Office of the Ombudsperson is here to help.
Resources
References
Donelan, H., & Kear, K. (2024). Online group work: A review of challenges and strategies.
Sutherland-Smith, W. (2010). Plagiarism, the Internet, and Student Learning: Improving Academic Integrity.
Velliaris, D. M. (2025). Collaboration or Collusion? International Students and Academic Integrity in Higher Education.